Those items are sent directly to landfills. First-quality items are put back on store shelves and sold. Seconds are either taken to outlets or donated to charities, The AP reported.

“Increasingly, a small, but growing number of customers has been interpreting our guarantee well beyond its original intent. Some view it as a lifetime product replacement program, expecting for heavily worn products used over many years. Others seek refunds for products that have been purchased through third parties, such as at yard sales,” NPR reported.

When Leon Leonwood Bean, the founder of the company, accepted returns of 90 of the first 100 hunting shoes he produced, he returned customers’ money and redesigned the boot that made the company famous. He also started the company’s guarantee policy, The AP reported.